Jules Pilates Studio Community, pt. 2 Susan Trier

You have probably heard me tell a lot of stories. One of my favorite stories is why I took my full Pilates teacher training. The main reason is that my good and wise friend Susan Trier told me to. Sometimes it takes me a little while to do what I am told, but I have to say, when Susan talks, I want to listen. She has so much knowledge and so many great ideas, she has never steered me wrong. Last fall, Susan led her first workshop at Jules Pilates. I asked her to do something about the pelvic floor. A delicate subject, but one that she handled with grace and wit and her typical deep knowledge. Susan herself has completed many trainings. She is a certified personal trainer. She has her comprehensive Pilates and yoga trainings. She is certified in Tai Chi and A Total Control Program ™ for the pelvic floor. AND prenatal and postpartum fitness, Parkinson’s wellness exercise and zero balancing. I only mention some of her trainings.

Susan will lead another pelvic floor workshop at Jules Pilates this spring because we both know this a subject that a lot of people need good information and exercises for but it can be difficult to find classes and get access to info. As well as it is, well, let’s face it, sometimes embarrassing. But if you’re able to come to the workshop, I guarantee you will comfortable in Susan’s presence and you know what? Also have a really good time.

Here is what Susan says about the workshop in the spring, followed by a brief interview.

“In our last workshop, we learned about the anatomy of the pelvic floor, common issues which can arise with the pelvic floor, and we discussed strategies to address those issues. We also introduced some exercises to increase the strength of the floor.

In this workshop, we’ll review those exercises and we’ll discuss additional strategies on how to keep your pelvic floor healthy and vibrant. Vibrant? Yes! Your floor is your gateway to your mobility as well as your most intimate self. Sexually is definitely on the agenda! Sign up! It’s fine if you missed the previous workshop.

I hope to see you at the workshop.”

Me: What would you like to see your students be able to achieve by practicing Pilates?

Susan: For me, Pilates is a keystone discipline. Learning to: use your core to support your body; extend and open your spine; and feel your feet connected to the ground allows us to move with fluidity.

Pilates can help our parents keep their independence and mobility. It can preserve their dignity.

For our daughters, it can help them relate to their body without judgment. And for us, it speaks to us of staying active, witnessing the changes in our lives. Pilates is more than Teaser and yet, isn’t it just a little bit fun when you can finally do something well that is physically challenging?

Me: Any quick words of wisdom about the pelvic floor?

Susan: The pelvic floor is an area of unknown for many of us. We only think about it when we have trouble with it. For example: leaking, an UTI, pain or discomfort during sex etc. We need to befriend this area of the body and learn what we need to do to keep it vibrant and healthy. Its our gateway to mobility, vitality and our sexuality.

Me: Do you see similarities or differences in the Pilates method to health and QiGong?

Susan: Pilates and QiGong share a fundamental perspective. Both of them advocate moving the body from the center: the “core” or “power house” in Pilates; the “dantien” in QiGong. Movement originates from this place and then ripples out into the limbs.

Another aspect that Pilates and QiGong share is the importance of grounding through the feet. In Pilates, whether it’s footwork on the reformer or extension through the foot in mat or grounding into the floor in standing work, the foot is understood to be a critical component. In QiGong, the ancient texts speak of the practice as: “rooted in the feet, powered by the legs, guided by the dantien, and expressed in the hands.”

One aspect of QiGong which can feel very unknown to Pilates practitioners is moving with ease in a “relaxed” manner. In QiGong, this quality of movement is termed “song” or “openness”. This has been interpreted as “relaxed”. For many of us, however, “relaxed” means just the opposite–“collapsed”. When you view QiGong movement as extended and open, the support of this type of movement comes from the deepest muscles, those closest to the bone. With this support, the movement is slow and seemingly effortless. Pilates isn’t known for this “effortless” movement. Yet a deeper aspect of movement in Pilates is “length” and “extension”, particularly in the spine. This is a very “song” concept.

What’s Up?

What they say …

I wanted to write you a note to say thank you for consistently providing fantastic classes for your students. Each class I learn something new or get challenged with a new concept in a completely safe and accepting environment. I have learned so much about my body and how to move it. Thank you so much for inviting us all into your life each and every day. We are blessed.

Just want to share the good news and thank you for all of your help with my bones. My recent bone density scan shows my spine and femur both in the osteopenia range, improved from the osteoporosis range.
Strong bones, hurrah! Onward to keep them strong now.

Jules is a wonderful teacher, the absolute best. She takes the time to gently and gradually help you move into correct yoga postures or Pilates forms in the way that best benefits your individual body. I have never been injured in Jules’ class, unlike other studios that I have attended. Jules classes are a celebration of ourselves, our bodies, and our lives. I feel safe in Jules’ classes and feel like I am there exer…

I am bionic: two resurfaced knee caps and three back surgeries, one of which was a fusion. Jules always finds Pilates exercises I CAN do! She is one of a kind: never judges, leads by example, funny and well versed in life. It’s a winning combination that I heartily recommend. And then there are the cherry almond brownies that occasionally make it to the studio…

Your classes are so enjoyable! Lately I’ve been trying to go to another class closer to my home. It gives me a better appreciation for your teaching style.
I like the elegance of your language/word choices in class, your ability to discuss the body and its mechanisms from a dancer’s or athlete’s point of view. I now am more grateful than ever for how you’ve let us “be” in poses without over-attention to “perfect”…

Liron Weiss is an excellent teacher and a fantastic resource for the Jules Pilates clientele. I am so grateful to have her as a part of our team. I was initially skeptical at Sue Hitzmann’s MELT Method book, but what she was saying made sense and was easy to follow. When Liron started teaching at Jules Pilates, I started doing some of the techniques on a regular basis. These MELT techniques really help me with my ove…

All through college I took yoga, and I always got A’s. The teacher never helped me do the poses right so I was always pulling my muscles. Then when I started doing yoga with Jules, she helped me get my body into the poses the right way so I felt a stretch in my muscles, rather than pulling them in the wrong way. It’s like your body works with you. With the other instructors I had, it was like my body was working aga…

I first got to know Jules many years ago when I took my first yoga class with her. She was so patient and really helped me to not only understand yoga and breathing, but more importantly understand how those things related to my body. Now at 60 years old, I’ve been taking Pilates with Jules for about a year. I feel better than ever and because of her teaching I’ve been able to enjoy my hobbies of gardening, walking, …